Junior Rangers Connect Through Video Conference

Junior rangers from Independence National Historical Park and the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia, PA, and Badlands National Park in SD recently connected through a videoconference program. The children had a great exchange of natural and cultural history and confirmed their intentions to help protect their communities and preserve their history. Junior rangers from Philadelphia learned about the scenic spaces, wildlife, and fossils of Badlands National Park while junior rangers from Wall and Wasta, SD learned about several historic sites in the Northeast Region. The junior rangers were obviously excited to be involved in the program and to share their national parks with new friends from across the country.

Interpretive staff at both sites worked together to implement best practices in video conferencing to make the connection a success. The program theme was, “Protecting our communities and preserving our heritage.” Participants were well prepared through pre-conference activities that included classroom experiences, park explorations, reading, writing and research. During the conference, both groups took notes on graphic organizers which helped the children organize their learning through language and images. There was much interaction between the kids. They introduced themselves, read from their learning journals, shared objects and artifacts, and asked and answered questions. Junior rangers from Philadelphia were surprised to learn that Badlands National Park has more bison than the neighboring town of Wall has people. Junior rangers at Badlands wanted to know if the Philadelphia kids would like to visit. Even though the children’s backgrounds and communities are very different, they soon learned how much they had in common as they shared with pride the stories of their communities and their culture.

The program was made possible through the support of technology staff in both the Northeast and Midwest Regions. Both parks are interested in expanding the program to include other parks. For more information contact INDE and EDAL Supervisory Park Ranger Rhonda Buell Schier, INDE and EDAL Park Ranger Andrew McDougall, and Education Specialist Julie Johndreau, BADL.